Lucky for Morgan Wallen, Luke Bryan loves him some “Up Down”

ABC Radio Newcomer Morgan Wallen is enjoying his first top-30 country hit with “Up Down,” a collaboration with his pals, Florida Georgia Line.

But it turns out there’s no bigger fan of the song than his 2018 tour mate, Luke Bryan.

“I’ve got a funny story,” Luke explained at the news conference announcing his stadium trek this week. “I called Tyler Hubbard one night and I’m like, ‘Dude! I am absolutely in love with this “Up Down” song. I mean, what’s the deal? Is that y’all’s guy?’ He’s like, ‘Well he’s sitting next to me in the truck right now. You can tell him how much you love his song.’”

Fast forward four or five months, and the four-time Entertainer of the Year asked Morgan to join his What Makes You Country Tour.

“Part of our deal was I offered him that I’d be a stagehand after I get done with my set every night,” Morgan joked, before going on to recount how he found out about his new gig.

“I was in Baltimore, and I had no clue that this was even on my radar. And my managers texted me and kinda acted like I was in trouble or something, which is, you know, not that uncommon. I called ’em kinda nervous or whatever, and they’re like, ‘Hey man, you wanna go on tour with Luke Bryan?’” he laughs. “’Yeah, man!’”

Morgan kicks off his own Up Down Tour Friday night in Indianapolis, before heading out with Luke on his stadium dates in May.